Installing rain cover over fan vent

[Frank777]

Has anyone installed a rain cover over their fan vent.

Any problems installing it?

The Maxx Air vent attaches to the fan frame itself so there is no screwing into the roof.

Thanks, Frank

[ragmopp]

If you are referring to the Fantastic Fan, the manufacturer states that isn't a good idea. I quote: 'Never place a Maxxair style cover over, or filter on ceiling fan. Greatly restricted airflow & increased sound levels will occur'. I was thinking on something like that myself, but I won't do it now.

Mike Anderson

[mjlaupp]

If you are referring to the Fantastic Fan, the manufacturer states that isn't a good idea. I quote: 'Never place a Maxxair style cover over, or filter on ceiling fan. Greatly restricted airflow & increased sound levels will occur'. I was thinking on something like that myself, but I won't do it now.

Mike Anderson

I have a MaxxAir Fan/Mate cover over the Fantastic Fan. It does not restrict the air flow or cause increased sound levels. I think that the manufacturer's reference is to a MaxxAir Roof Vent cover.

Mike

[evans27292]

i installed low profile vent covers from camping world on all three vents.the manufacture state ok for fantastic fans. this is my 2nd tm i have installed on, no problems at all .they help with outside air when it is raining and cooking inside to remove cooking odors.

[ragmopp]

I have a MaxxAir Fan/Mate cover over the Fantastic Fan. It does not restrict the air flow or cause increased sound levels. I think that the manufacturer's reference is to a MaxxAir Roof Vent cover.

Mike,

What is the difference?

Mike Anderson

[mjlaupp]

Mike,

Take a look at these item descriptions from Camping World. You can see the air flow restriction for the roof vent cover.

MaxxAir Fan/Mate Ceiling-Fan/Vent-Cover:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/Fans--Vents/MaxxAir-Fan/Mate-Model-800-Ceiling-Fan/Vent-Cover/skunum=13655

MaxxAir Roof Vent Cover:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/Shell-White-Tan-Roof-Vent-Cover/skunum=10939

Mike

[ragmopp]

Thanks a lot Mike, I see the difference.. The manual must have been talking about the cheaper one...

Mike Anderson

[Paul_Heuvelhorst]

Has anyone installed a rain cover over their fan vent.

The Maxx Air vent attaches to the fan frame itself so there is no screwing into the roof.
Frank,
I no longer own a TM, but the current trailer had 3 roof/ceiling vents. The bathroom was the only one with a fan... the little cheap one. I replaced that with a Fantastic Fan, and added a Fantastic Fan to the kitchen. I did not put a fan over the bed. I did put Aero-Flo Roof Vent Covers over all 3 of them so we can keep the vents open, fans going when it rains.

www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/Fans--Vents/AeroFlo-Roof-Vent-Cover/prodID=4079

I chose the Aero-Flo because the vented side slants inward keeping the rain from coming or blowing in. As with Maxx Air, the vent cover attaches to the fan/vent frame, so there is no drilling into the roof.

As long as the vent on your TM is mounted on the front half, or far enough back to avoid the front cover, there is no reason you can't add a vent cover. You'll enjoy the added convenience.

[Frank777]

Thanks all for the input.

Mine is on order.
I'll let you know how it goes.

We're off to The Tent Rocks this weekend.

God bless, Frank

[Michoshisho]

Greetings campers! I wanted to bring this older thread to the forefront and see if anyone has any new ideas. I would love to be able to add rain covers to the vents an fantastic fan in my TM. I seem to somehow pick rainy weekends for my camping adventures. Go figure. Anyway, as was noted in a similar thread regarding MaxxAir vent covers, the TM vents are not flush with the roof. They sit atop a built up area on the roof, making the installation a little trickey So....I would like to throw this out there again. Do any of you have rain covers over your vents/fan? If so, what brands did you use, and did you have to do any tweeks or mods to get a proper fit? Looking for successes as well as failures. Thanks in advance for your time.

[Bill]

Did you do a search on Maxxair? There has been quite a bit of discussion, such as this.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14413&

Bill

[Michoshisho]

Thaks for the reply Bill. Yes, I did see several other posts, and all had mixed reviews. One person made some 90 degree angles in the metal support attachments so that it would appropriately set on the roof, anotoher attached to the wood frame instead of vent, and yet another said that wouldn't work since the opening of the vent cover was not as wide as the wood frame around the vent. With the mixed reports and reviews, I figured I'll see if there was anything new, new brands, or new solutions. I'm happy to take advice and lessons learned from all who have gone there. Most of the posts I found were from 2007, so I was wondering if there were any new brands or new ideas. Thanks everyone for your time!

[LoveToCamp]

Yes, I installed rain covers over my old 2417. Only did the regular vents, but it was easy.

The covers came with brackets that screw to the aluminum frame, above the mounting frame. They fit below the plastic vent cover, so the cover can close tight. No leakage at all, and I was in some horrendous rains.

I got a new 2417KD, and have purchased covers for both the regular vent, and also the Fantastic vent. The one for the Fantastic Fan is over-sized, for the Fantastic. Have not installed, yet, but it is the same process as before. Once it gets warm consistently, I will put the covers on.

No problem using Maxxaire, or the Camping World brands. They all seem to attach the same way, based on my looking at the units in Camping World.

I guess I should add that, installing exactly the way the mounting hardware came out of the box, I had no problems on the road. Since my trailer is light, and Montana has wide open roads, the vents stayed secure, even at 75 mph into a very strong headwind. I did not alter the mounting brackets at all.

[moaboy]

Mounting is easier than it appears. I found a better - more vents -brand than Max Air, but don't recall and I can't get the name at this time. And it was less expensive than the Max. Agree these serve a good purpose. Found mine at a local RV store.

[ChillEDog]

How exactly did you mount yours ? Unit open or closed ? I seem to recall you have to open the vent at some point - to secure the screws through the vent frame. So drill holes with unit closed, open unit to open vent, then lower unit to finish mounting ? Or am I over-analyzing ? I've had a vent for some time but can't find the time to mount it. The TM is in my carport so can't really open it. Thanks for any guidance.

[scrubjaysnest]

I installed mine with the camper open so the vents could be opened as needed to drill holes, mount hardware etc. Takes maybe 30 minutes.

[ChillEDog]

Thanks. Were you able to do all the drilling etc. by reaching from a ladder, or did you have to climb on the top of the TM ?

[Sopper]

I installed mine with the camper and vent closed. Here is the thread on my vent cover installation:

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14607

[LoveToCamp]

I believe I opened my TM, opened the vents a bit, then closed the TM. I put a sheet of plywood on the roof, to spread the weight. I then went onto the roof, and screwed the mounts on. Didn't have to go inside again until I was finished on the roof.

[Sterman]

I did pretty much exactly as LoveToCamp did.

I installed the Maxx Air II on the Fantastic fan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3_E1XidfGQ

I used the regular Maxx Air covers on the other two vents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZY3JCxAg0k

The Maxx II is nice because it is hinged and is bigger for more air movement.

Then there is the "new and improved" Maxx Air Fan/Mate which looks pretty good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h19bCmoURcU

[moaboy]

Areo Flo. That is the name of the company's vent I like better than the Max Air because it has more vents and was less expensive. Both work and installation is similar.